Not a lot of people are familiar with the concept of Bitcoin. In fact, it can get to be a tedious task even for professionals like cryptographers to be able to wrap their heads around this term. For those who are wondering what it really means,Bitcoin is the first decentralized digital currency that was invented by Satoshi Nakamoto back in 2008; to enable direct transaction without an intermediary. It is a simple, peer – to – peer system wherein the transactions are verified through the network nodes. It is often regarded as the firstcryptocurrency of the world. It is the largest of its kind in terms of total market value.

Like mentioned previously, the majority of us are either unaware or choose not to accept the existence of such a decentralized system. The subsequent unpopularity of Bitcoin is partially due to the fact that you won’t find the establishment of cryptocurrency at many places. For an ordinary citizen like you, it may get slightly tedious to actually search for a restaurant of a cabbie who accepts Bitcoin as payment because there are literally none, and if there exist any one, it is not considered reliable.

Just a few highly-ranked professionals such as entrepreneurs, crypto-geeks and to a certain extent, economists are truly a part of the Bitcoin community. The possibility of the U.S. government banning this form of currency is haunting the minds of this little community.

A gradual change can be observed over a span of last two years. After the venture capitalists revealed their interest of making use of Bitcoin into their startups; there has been a noteworthy rise, but that’s quite slow. Moreover, China’s undivided interest further added Bitcoin’s value to over $1,000. This was great news for the small community that was already engaged in the systematic use of Bitcoin. Crypto-geeks turned multimillionaires overnight and Bitcoin began to be used even by a number of well – established businesses.

The situation is not as bad as what it used to be. On today’s date and time, you won’t have to face an intense struggle while venturing out in search of a food place that accepts Bitcoin. Yes, now the days are passe when you had to look to and fro for the one that accepts.

However, the main cause of concern is the shifting focus, that is; how Bitcoin can be used as a tool to free ourselves from the government monetary control to make it profitable in some way or the other. Firms likeAndreessen Horowitz are reported to be secretly fueling a mining company through the use of Bitcoin. While talks about how the system can be designed better in order to regulate the robot transaction more feasible prevail, what the future holds for Bitcoin and for us still remains uncertain.

It will take its own sweet time to cause a great impact on the economy. But when it eventually will, Bitcoin is firmly one of the major hopes that lead to an incredible growth of the finance and the economic sector. Either that or it will probably end up being a great failure, too.

Are you having a difficult time due to the toughness of economic times? Have you heard aboutonline registration loansthat can help? Whether or not you have, let’s take a look at what you can do if you don’t have money to pay your taxes. You don’t want to get the IRS on your back or you will have many days of stress and frustration.

The Solutions

Let’s say that you have already prepared your income taxes or you have not yet begun working on it as most people haven’t. It is still early in the year, but the sooner, the better. When you do your taxes sooner will reveal if you owe the IRS money or you deserve an income tax refund. When you have been made aware that you owe taxes, and you are unable to pay the full total, it is time to take some proactive steps. The IRS has measures in place to aid taxpayers like you who don’t have the cash on hand or don’t have the resources to borrow from family members or friends.

The Options

You can also make the tax payment to the IRS using a credit card. You can also request a short extension. You can also ask for an agreement to pay an installment each month. The IRS also offers a compromise to pay a certain amount. You can opt for bankruptcy declaration, if you qualify for it. Don’t ignore the IRS because you will have to deal with it, one way or the other. On top of that, you will have to pay penalties and interest on the money owed. The IRS will enforce its power in collecting all money owed. If you are not careful, the IRS will place a lien on your property, if you own real estate in order to secure the amount owed.

The Consideration

Even if your tax bill is thousands of dollars, you should try to find a way to pay it. If you don’t take advantage of online registration loans or the IRS options, then you may want to liquidate a savings account, sell a vehicle or other collateral, or refinance your home. You should consider all the options available to you. The sooner that you can take care of your tax bill, the better it will be for you. Once the IRS sees that you are making an effort to pay your tax bill, you will stop receiving the barrage of letters.

WhenMicrosoft released Windows 10 formally on September 30, 2014 and finally on July 29, 2015, the Redmond-based tech-giant had expected a lot of things from it. But seeing the negative press around the adoption rates of this self-acclaimed operating system, or, so to say, in order to solidify their place in the market, the company has now decided to talk only about how 200 million people have installed Windows 10 within just five months, instead of divulging how enterprises are putting off their Windows 10 migrations.

The company, therefore, does not want to leave any stone unturned when it comes to a substantial effort to haveWindows 10 installed on the majority of functioning operating systems among the enterprise and consumer market.

As you know Microsoft and Intel have been closely working together for quite some time now. Taking advantage of this close connection between Windows and Intel’s CPU’s, Microsoft has consciously designed the former on the principles that support the latest Intel chipset innovations. Talking about this particular aspect, Microsoft published a blog which mentioned:

“We are particularly excited about the work we’ve done with Intel on their new 6th generation Intel Core processors (code named “Skylake”). Compared to Windows 7 PC’s, Skylake when combined with Windows 10, enables up to 30x better graphics and 3x the battery life – with the unmatched security of Credential Guard utilizing silicon supported virtualization. We and our partners are continuing to invest, innovate, and update to drive continued performance improvements across Windows 10 and Skylake devices.”

The attempt of drawing as many companies as possible does not simply end atIntel. Other operators such asLenovo can also be seen talking about the value gained by migrating to Windows 10:

“Lenovo is committed to driving innovation and is inspired by the technology advances enabled by Windows 10 and 6th generation Intel Core processors. Our newest products, such as ThinkPad X1 and Lenovo YOGA, are designed to deliver significant new capabilities to customers around the world,” said Gerry Smith, COO Lenovo PC, Enterprise and Global Operations, executive vice president, Lenovo. “We applaud Microsoft’s commitment to helping all of their customers take advantage of the Windows operating system family and in particular, leveraging the latest innovations on new Windows 10 devices. We will continue to work alongside Microsoft and Intel to ensure customers maintain the highest level of confidence in the security, reliability and performance of devices running on Windows and Intel platforms.”

As you can further see, Microsoft is offering all possible assurances to ensure that things with Windows 10 are kept running. Despite this, there are still many customers who continue to believe that Windows 7 is more reliable in nature as compared to the Windows 10. While both, Windows 7 and Windows 8, are time – limited with their services expiring by 2020 and 2023, respectively – you will ultimately be forced to migrate to Windows 10 for this reason:

“Through July 17, 2017, Skylake devices on the supported list will also be supported with Windows 7 and 8.1. During the 18-month support period, these systems should be upgraded to Windows 10 to continue receiving support after the period ends. After July 2017, the most critical Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 security updates will be addressed for these configurations, and will be released if the update does not risk the reliability or compatibility of the Windows 7/8.1 platform on other devices.”

However, only time will tell what the future has in store for Microsoft. So, just wait and watch.

After iOS 9.2 update, iOS 9.3 is perhaps (because Apple never stops) the quickest and the third major update Apple has made to its mobile operating system since therelease of iOS 9 in September apart from the iPad Mini 4, Apple TV and iPhone 6S.

However, like the previous9.2, it is not just a minor update, but a series of new and innovative apps and improvement of the previously added apps for the provision of more comfort and reliability for Apple users.

If you are still not sure what additions have been made by Apple, here is a rundown of the five best features ofApple iOS 9.3, the beta version to the developers.

CarPlay

CarPlay is the advance app that makes your driving more pleasurable and safe even when you are driving and talking on the phone simultaneously. CarPlay is a new app with iOS 9.3 to rock the driving experience of Apple users. The app is controlled through SIRI over the voice that functions with or without touch. Now, you can work with your car controls from your Apple device without any hassle. If your vehicle is equipped with CarPlay, you can do various tasks based on your performance while driving. You can also use music, maps or other functions and enjoy your road trip.

NightShift

Are you afraid that the bright blue light in the evening from the mobile is the reason behind your sleep disorder? Then checkNightShift, a new app in Apple iOS9.3 that has specifically been designed to reduce the amount of blue light on an iOS device.

Now, you don’t need to adjust the light of your phone manually, the app is here to help you with automatic shifting of the color of the display when the Sun goes down. The regular color display automatically takes its place. So, forget about circadian rhythm, Night Shift will take care of your problem.

Notes: Get more secured with fingerprint password

The most important app on your smartphone where you keep all your important data is now more secured with new iOS 9.3’sNotes. It allows protecting your data under the usual password lock or new fingerprint lock. You can also sort your notes based on creation, modification or alphabetically as per your comfort.

Health app-related apps are now at your fingertips

Earlier third party apps were not easy to find on the Apple smartphones, but with this new advanced feature ofHealth App, you can now easily track the third-party health apps. You get to a new slider menu to reveal all these third party apps on your health dashboard. The app also monitors your stand data, exercises, and movements and helps you compare your health matrix in one place.

New Education App or students and teachers both

Apple has introduced engaging ways of learning with the help of iOS9.3 betas. The mission reshaping education now enables teachers to guide their students through learning apps like iOS9.3 Education App. The great app not only lets their teachers keep track of their students’ progress, but it also allows students to log into iPad and do many works such as creating ID, sharing notes, access to all class notes, documents, books. The app truly works as a teaching assistant for both teachers and students.

Get personalized news quickly

What if you get news exactly as per your specific interest? Yes, with the improved version of Apple’s news app in iOS 9.3, you can now easily discover the new favorites, check editor’s picks, watch news video from the feed and even know about the latest stories, which appear faster than before.

The 3D touch shortcut is a real game changer that allows 3D touch on the settings icons. You can easily and quickly switch on/off Wi-Fi faster, can check the battery settings and even change the Bluetooth at the non-realistic speed.

So, what more you expect from this tech-giant, there is always a new and great thing waiting to enhance your experience.

Behind every great thing, there is a great mind. The same applies to the creative brains of those app developers who make the most and best use of their creative skills and come up with apps that have made all your daily chores simpler than before.

From games like Candy Crush Saga to e-Book reader likeWattpad, or from news apps to weather apps, almost every app you see today is the result of the highly creative brains of these app developers. However, when a developer starts working on anAndroid app, there are several areas that cannot be left behind without utmost care and consideration. The problem either occurs in the designing phase or in the implementation phase, but it severely affects the performance and efficiency of the app.

So, let’s talk about some vital problems that are very common in Android, and almost every app developer has to facethese issues.

Memory

Many a times, it is seen that app developers don’t pay heed to the memory management orMalloc. But it is important to take note here that whatever programming language an app developer uses, the memory management isautomatically done either by the garbage collector, or it is at times manually done by allocating and freeing during the process. Whether it isC/C++ or JAVA, every language has its own way to handle the memory, but the facility many times lead the app developers to neglect the memory management.

However, the garbage collector has its own severe effects on the app’s performance. It is found that prior toAndroid version 5.0 Lollipop, all the activities of app came at a halt when the garbage collector ran. For instance, let’s say you are writing a game, then the app needs to reduce each frame in 18ms for 64fps. If you are impudent over the memory allocation at every frame, you let GC run to either every frame or every periodic few frame and stop all other functions of the app.

RGB 565 format is also a great tool to improve the memory footprint up to 50% in your app where each pixel makes use of just 2 bytes and get encoded through RGB channels. For instance, red will be stored with 5 bits while green with 6 bits of precision. It is widely used for thumbnails.

Battery

It is a well-known fact that energy gobbled up by the smartphones work through the network I/O. When you are writing for either desktop or server, youmost likely ignore the cost of I/O operation in terms of energy. It is found that almost over 60% of energy is spent in the third modules for advertisement, especially in a free app. The data not only irritates the developers, but the users, as well. The idea is to make a module that can monitor the energy spending, reduce the cost, and enhance the battery efficiency.

Memory Data Serialization

It is a new tool to save your data on the cloud or store your data as per your convenience. However, the standard mode of data serialization is not efficient enough and is not free. A binary mode of data serialization is anytime welcomed, as it is resource-friendly in terms of codes and runtime overhead.Nano Proto Buffers and Flat buffers are the exact examples of binary mode.

Conclusion

In the end, I would like to say that the path for an Android App developer is not smooth; however, apart from these three pitfalls along with trending, the app developers need not do much more to increase the app performance. A better understanding and use of right tools is the key behind a high perform and successful app.

2016 is poised to be a year that’ll completely change the tech industry. Professional tech enthusiasts and casual tech-lovers alike are getting amped about some of the upcoming new releases that are easily some of the most-anticipated developments in recent years.

Virtual Reality

It’s been a long time coming. Featured in just about every piece of sci-fi, virtual reality has long been considered to be one of those benchmarks. When it finally happens, we’ll all know we’ve really made it the “the future!”

Since then, VR has been somewhat of a disappointment. But with new developments, VR is about to go mainstream.

The highly-anticipated Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive are both slated to release in 2016 after many setbacks. These will likely lay the groundwork for increasingly sophisticated virtual reality tech over the next several years.

Drones

Drones have previously brought to mind far-reaching and inefficient tech, or creepy consequences. But drones are getting safer and smarter in 2016.

They’re purported to start becoming easier to fly (for the drone piloting novice), getting waterproofed, and will receive camera quality upgrades. This will make it better for the average person to start piloting droids with relative ease.

Wireless Charging

It’s about time! Wireless charging will see a major spike in 2016. Coffee shops everywhere are getting equipped with the tech, and more companies are investing in cross-brand standards. So in 2016, Apples, Androids, Samsungs, and every recent laptop or tablet model will likely be able to charge at any wireless power station.

Even cars and furniture are getting equipped, so the age-old wall plugs will be rendered obsolete by 2017.

Better Voice-Operated Tech

In the early stages of voice-operated tech, users were frustrated. Our robot underlings couldn’t seem to understand us. It was too much trouble to bother with.

But now that the tech has improved, 2016 will usher in a more service-oriented era. Virtual assistants with voice-operated tech will hit it big. Improvements to standards like Siri are expected, but more common household electronics will also start listening.

TVs, sound systems, cars, toys, and at-home electronic helpers (like the viral sensation, Jibo, that has yet to hit the market) will all be equipped with the new-and-improved voice-operated tech to make our lives easier.

Improved Cameras

It seemed like camera tech in our smartphones, laptops, etc. plateaued for a while. But now they’re better than ever in 2016, and boasting some cool new capabilities.

Image quality is expected to improve in 2016, but so is 3-D rendering, depth perception, light processing, zoom capabilities, and more. Even standard smartphone cameras will get multiple lenses and sensors to improve the varying focal lengths. More megapixels are just the beginning.

Fewer Wires, More Wearables

Even headphone cables are on the way out in 2016. With increased wireless capability, fewer devices will be limited by cables and wires in the new year.

This means more possibilities for wearable tech. Everything will be able to connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth-type connectivity or to the Cloud. Clothing, fitness accessories, watches, shoes, and more will receive wireless wearable upgrades in 2016.

As the format of blogging continues to evolve, 2015 saw some standout tech blogs emerging from the masses. These blogs are considered to be some of the top tech news resources, offer unbiased reviews on the technology that you’re most curious about, and cut through some of the rampant marketing that influences so many of our decisions and thoughts about tech. Most of them are pretty darn fun, too.

Some newcomers, some old standbys…these blogs are at the top of the tech blogging game for good reason. Here are 10 of the best tech blogs of 2015 in no particular order:

TechRadar

TechRadar is one of the most popular online sources for gadgetry reviews. They have an insanely helpful rating system for smartphones, tablets, etc. Lots of tech blogs will get too hung up on Apple products (or really any one specific brand that they favor) but some of TechRadar’s best blog articles have been about Android devices, features, and apps.

Gizmodo

Although they’ve been well-known for several years now, Gizmodo stays on top of all things tech but also innovations in science, pop culture, and generally interesting things. It’s one of the most comprehensive news sources for tech enthusiasts. It’s more lighthearted vibe makes it sort of like Buzzfeed’s smarter, geekier older cousin. They often feature incredibly insightful pieces about the implications of new technology rather than simply posting a review or news blurb.

Tech2

Tech2 is constantly churning out handy guides to help you pick the perfect tech for you. They cover everything from games to mobile devices, and apps to televisions. They weigh in on websites and post blog articles to help you get more out of the tech that you already have in addition to breaking down valuable information when exploring new tech options.

The Verge

The Verge is a tech blog classic. They specialize in the longer format tech news blogging and thorough reviews. Most of the bloggers at The Verge are hardcore tech experts, so you can trust that what they say is fairly spot-on.

Technorati

This blog is like a favorite of fellow tech bloggers. It guides them in methods to get more readers, spark casual readers’ interest in tech articles, and passes on information about the latest tech so that other bloggers can weigh in.

The Next Web

An up-and-coming tech blog, The Next Web is gaining more readers thanks to their business- and culture-related take on the latest tech. Rather than simply appealing to tech-lovers, The Next Web brings the excitement of innovations in technology to the people it could directly affect, and those who could benefit from it.

Wired

A legend among tech news providers, Wired is still one of the most beloved tech blogs out there. It’s the most polished and practical resource for all things tech, and Wired hasn’t lost their touch in 2015.

Techcrunch

A tech-blogging pop star, Techcrunch dishes out quality information on the latest internet portals, tech product reviews and tests, and general news.

Digital Trends

Despite the specific blog name, Digital Trends covers a broad range of topics including new cars (featuring fun tech upgrades), business and culture news, music news, and more in addition to tech happenings and reviews.

CNET

CNET is the go-to for product details, pricing, reviews, forums, how-to’s, videos, and more. It’s a hub of useful tech information for true enthusiasts. It’s one of the most-searched tech blogs as of July 2015.

Engadget

Also one of the most-frequently Googled tech blogs of this year was the popular web magazine, Engadget. They offer some of the best pieces on gadgets and consumer electronics. Handling daily news like the tech-blogging pros that they are, Engadget also features great reviews on a wide range of tech products.

If you are like me and not up to date in the technology world then you have probably never heard of graphene. Well graphene is a thin layer of pure carbon matter. It is a single, tightly packed layer of carbon atoms that are actually bonded together in a hexagonal pattern. This type of organic material can be produced with low costs, is 207 times stronger than steel, and one of the thinnest compounds known. It is also one of the best electrical conductors around, which is why scientists have been researching how graphene might eventually replace the battery.

Scientists compare graphene with lithium-ion batteries

Scientists have been working with graphene to see how it can be used in technology. They have found that batteries might be replaced with laser- induced graphene made supercapacitors, used for storing power. In fact, researchers at Rice University in Houston, Texas have been working on ways to make micro superconductors out of laser-induced graphene. Unlike the usual lithographic process, LIG-produced supercapacitors take only minutes to make, and the only materials needed are a polyimide plastic sheet and a computer operated laser. Researchers discovered that the computer operated laser would burn everything on the polyimide, except the carbon from the top layer, where graphene remains. An official statement from lead researcher, James Tour, was given during a press release. Tour stated that, “It’s a pain in the neck to build micro supercapacitors now. They require a lot of lithographic steps. But these we can make in minutes: We burn the patterns, add electrolyte and cover them.”

Graphene compared to lithium-ion batteries

In comparing your standard lithium- ion batteries to laser-induced graphene made supercapacitors, you will find some similarities and differences. Both contain about the same energy density, holding 934 microfarads per square centimeter. The difference in the laser-induced graphene produced supercapacitors is that they out measure typical batteries, in regards to power and not losing potency over time. According to IEEE Spectrum, a magazine that discusses engineering and science, laser-induced graphene supercapacitors can be bent over 10,000 times and still function normally.

Will we see a replacement soon?

Research takes time and even with these types of promising results, the research team at Rice says that we won’t be seeing laser-induced graphene supercapacitors replacing lithium-ion batteries anytime soon. Each day the team moves a step closer in making this a reality. To learn more about the Rice University researchers, and what they have been working on in regards to graphene, click here. It is also interesting to take a look at a video of these researchers hard at work. For those who might want a clear idea of how laser-induced graphene is worked on in the lab, check out this Rice University YouTube video.

Technology is ever changing and research is the best way to spark new innovations. It is amazing to see men and women so interested in science and working with graphene, a carbon compound I never heard of before, to create a change in items we use every day.